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Five years ago, I left my fiancé, hotter than hot Navy SEAL Kade Kelly, at the altar. No, I’m not an idiot.Yes, I had my reasons. Now I’ve made a new life for myself working at a large firm in Richmond and I’ve left the past behind. Or so I thought.Upon returning to my hometown of Serenity Point, Virginia, to take care of some business, I find that Kade’s now home for good and he’s none too happy about my being here. Two months. That’s all I’m staying then I’m out of here. Unless I believe the town’s pink-haired psychic’s prediction. Or embrace the sense of belonging I feel at being back home. Or give in to the emotions stirring inside when Kade's attention is suddenly on me. He scares the crap out of me. He thrills me. He used to tell me our love was bigger than the sky.I always knew ours was a once-in-a-lifetime love. So how can he be so sure it can happen again?

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I’m hearing that submarine warning horn in my ears. You know the one. It goes A-ooooo-ga! And that shit’s going off in my head over and over. I think it means the sub’s diving, as in, it’s going down. And that’s my warning right now because likely, I’m going down.I clutch the sides of my dress and think, I can’t do this!But that’s not how today’s supposed to go, is it?What I’m supposed to do is go inside that church, take my bouquet (which is fabulous, by the way) from Cassie, my maid of honor, and walk down the aisle to my handsome fiancé who’s waiting for me in front of the altar.But now I stand at the bottom of the church steps and suddenly can’t catch my breath. Papaw takes my hand and I smile at him weakly as he helps me up the first step and the horn suddenly stops.Well. That’s weird. Maybe I can do this.Second step. Hm. Better. Feeling Papaw’s hand in mine is comforting. All right. I think I’ve got this now. Piece of cake.Third step. Oh, no. I start sweating. I can’t be sweating right now, damn it! It’s so unladylike! And I’ll get those crusty, yellowy stains on my dress from my armpits! Gross!Fourth step. Shit! I can’t breathe. The panic has a grip on me and no matter what I do to try to calm myself and get it to let me go—closing my eyes, focusing on my breathing, picturing myself getting a full-body massage from some cute guy named Sven—it seems to dig its claws in tighter. Mayday!On Deck. A-ooooo-ga! A-ooooo-ga! Ack! I’m going down! I gulp for air trying to fill my lungs but nothing helps. I look at Papaw but I guess my lack of air is making me hallucinate because it’s not him holding my hand and smiling at me but Viper from the movie Top Gun. What the hell?Soooo I’m hoping you’ve noticed the Navy theme here? That’s because a Navy SEAL is waiting inside to marry me but all this stuff going on right now is messing with my head.Let me give you the low down on the situation. Or is it the down low? Ugh. I’m so not hip. Wait. Do people still say hip anymore? God. See what living with grandparents does to a girl? I’m twenty-five and I talk like I’m twice my age. Jeez. But back to what I was trying to tell you.My guy and I have been together since I was a sophomore and he was a senior in high school. But he’s now been enlisted in the Navy for nine years, most of it spent training to be then going on missions as a SEAL, and in all that time I’ve seen him maybe a total, a total, of a little over a year. In nine years! I’m not kidding. Since I’m a CPA I’ll figure that out for you. Out of nine years, he’s been gone almost ninety percent of the time. Can you see the face I’m making at that right now?Anyway, now’s such a fantastic time to be figuring that out, huh?I’m not a needy or clingy person. I mean, obviously, right? If I were, I would never have even considered marrying him, but now the alarms are going off in my head because suddenly I don’t know if I can do this. How can you make a life with someone when you only get to see them for just over one month out of the year? Like I said, I don’t have to have a man around all the time, but those statistics are just crazy.I know you’re wondering why I even let it get this far without doing the math and here’s the answer: I don’t know! Thought you were gonna get a better answer, didn’t you? Well, if I don’t know it, I damned sure can’t tell it to you!But maybe the answer is that I love him. I really do. Honestly. So now I’m thinking that maybe the idea of being married was what pushed me forward. Or maybe I just got caught up in planning it all—picking out the dress, the bouquet, all that fun stuff—and it kept me distracted for a while. But now that I’m here and about to walk through these doors and down the aisle to become his wife, with the numbers stacked so hugely against me, I don’t think I can.I look up at Papaw and shake my head. He frowns in confusion but when he sees the tears in my eyes, he knows. He nods and lets my hand go. “Go to him, honey. Tell him.”But I can’t. I can’t face him after all this.And the only thing I know to do is run.So that’s what I do.

Harper Bentley has taught high school English for 22 years. Although she’s managed to maintain her sanity regardless of her career choice, jumping into the world of publishing her own books goes to show that she might be closer to the ledge than was previously thought.After traveling the nation in her younger years as a military brat, having lived in Alaska, Washington State and California, she now resides in Oklahoma with her teenage daughter, two dogs and one cat, happily writing stories that she hopes her readers will enjoy.

Flashes of bright lights so blinding, that when you close your eyes, all you see is bursts of light under your lids. Your ears begin to ring, as they try to decipher the loud voices that are screaming and yelling at you, until everything becomes a mumbled blur.

*****

Even though I could feel Andrew's hand as he pulled me through the crowd of paparazzi, at moments, I felt enclosed and alone. I felt somewhat alarmed by the frenzy of reporters that we had to walk past as we hurried to the ticket counter. I struggled to look up as camera flashes continued to assault my senses. This is what it feels like to have your picture taken without your consent—not knowing where it was going, or what they would do with it. Usually, it is a family member or friend on the other side of the lens. They capture a place, or time in your life that means something. You can always veto a lousy photo if you want, or laugh at the ones that have been taken. But this felt…wrong.

As we approached the counter, there was a woman in a red jacket that instantly greeted us. "I called security, Mr. Hughes." Andrew nodded, and greeted her with a handshake.

"Thank you. My Security Director wanted to leave someone with us, but I insisted that we would be fine."

Andrew looked at me apologetically. "My girlfriend has caused quite a stir," Andrew said, squeezing my hand tightly as he tried to make light of the situation.

She nodded in understanding. "Let’s get you two checked in, and I will escort you to the plane." She signaled to someone behind us. "It looks as if security has arrived."

I turned and saw four large men in uniform. One stood directly behind us while the other three directed the paparazzi to stay back.

Andrew asked for my passport and the agent checked us in. You could hear the shutters of the cameras capturing this mundane act. I turned my head, getting a better look at the men. When we had first stepped out of the taxi, I had shielded my eyes from the blinding lights as Andrew stressed to keep my head down. "Don't look at them, say nothing!" he shouted as he guided me along.

My anxiety grew at that thought, and suddenly, I felt light-headed. "Andrew…"

He turned his head, seeing my distress, and came to me immediately. "Andria, what is it?"

His eyes showed so much concern. Sadly, I wanted this…well, not this per se, but I had pushed for Andrew and me to be a real couple. Yet, I started to wonder if I might have bitten off more than I could chew.

Z.N. Willett is the girl who has seen more than she has ever wanted; yet decided to add to that world by writing Hollywood romances. A northern girl, but a southerner at heart, loving anything and everything about love and romance. So much that once upon a time she had a career as a wedding and events coordinator. When Z.N. decided to do something she was passionate about, she added her love for travel to the mix. An avid shoeaholic, deep down she's a sappy romantic who happens to believe that love can truly conquer all.

Holy cow, y'all! We are so excited to bring you the Cover Reveal for Jennifer L. Armentrout's WICKED! WICKED is a New Adult Paranormal Romance and is a part of Jennifer L. Armentrout’s Wicked Trilogy. It is being released on December 8th, 2014. So make sure you pre-order it today!!

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

About Jennifer L. Armentrout:

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Summary: B.L. Wilde, Jeanne
McDonald, Jo Matthews, Mary Elizabeth, and Sarah Elizabeth give us five good
reasons why good girls love bad boys. The men of Branded are sexy, adventurous,
and troubled deep into their souls. There may be no redeeming them, but at the
risk of losing everything, these good girls must decide if loving their bad boy
is indeed worth the cost.

Condemned by B.L.Wilde

Ten years served for a crime he didn’t commit. Ten
years to lose everything he ever knew. Finally released from prison, Clayton
McGuire is on a mission and nothing will stand in his way. He is
determined to get revenge against the gang that set him up and take back what
was stolen from him all those years ago.

Clay will stop at nothing to win back his honor and
the heart of the only woman he has ever loved. Will she take him back when he
finds her? Or will he be condemned to live a life without his soulmate?

Cover Design: FS Meurinne

Renegade by Jeanne
McDonald

A chance meeting between a rookie
cop and a common criminal who’s searching for a way out.

An unforeseen circumstance.
An instant attraction. A magnetic connection.

Tattooed, pierced, and
foul-mouthed, she can’t help but be drawn to him.

Two people entirely wrong for one
another, yet so perfectly right.

When their worlds collide, Lucy
Diamond will learn the true meaning of love and sacrifice as she embarks on the
road of no return with bad boy Jude Wallace.

Like a thief in the night, love
will take them both by surprise.

Cover Design: Jada D'Lee Designs

DesolationBy Jo Matthews

Liam Jenkins grew up with everything he ever
wanted. At age 17, his world is ripped apart and he finds himself without a home,
without a car, and without money. His support system is gone and he is left to
fend for himself. Not having any other option, Liam turns to sex and small
crimes to survive.

When a beautiful woman chooses not to turn him into
the cops but invites him to her hotel room instead, Liam’s world is flipped
upside down again and everything he’s learned on the streets ceases to exist.

What will happen when one night with her isn’t
enough? When she haunts his thoughts and dreams? When his past finally catches
up with him, will he be able to start over? And will his mystery woman be there
to see him through?

Cover Design: Jo Matthews

Low By Mary Elizabeth

Lowen Seely has been forced into
making bad choices his whole life but none as consequential as the one that
lands him behind bars. He thought times were tough before he was locked up; the
boy from the hood learns living a law-abiding life is nearly impossible with a
felony record.

He finds hope in Poesy Ashby, the
girl who kissed him through glass partitions every weekend for two years.

Not everything is simple, but in
her he finds strength.

In her, he is brave.

Even crooks love.

When Lowen and Poesy stare poverty
in the face, he has another choice to make.

And this time, she’s driving.

Cover Design: Valentine S.

Don't Let Me GoBy Sarah Elizabeth

Based almost entirely on body language, intimate feelings can develop
within less than a minute of meeting someone.

Additionally, meeting in a dangerous situation increases the chances of
falling in love.

This is that fall.

Where meeting her eyes means seeing it through.

Following down from the start to don’t let me go.

From roll up to run.

Between old glory and new beginnings.

This is what happens when a lamb is carried to the slaughter by courage,
instead of a cowardly lion.

Jeanne McDonald began telling
stories at the ripe young age of five, when her mother considered the truth to
be a lie due to her extensive embellishment to the retelling of an event.
She wrote her first short story when she was twelve years old, and at the
age of sixteen she tried her hand at poetry. She reconnected with her
love for writing in 2010 thanks to the encouragement of a dear friend.

Her passions include a "mild"
Starbucks addiction, music, reading, quotes, movies, and romance. When
she's not spending time with her family, she can be found reading, writing,
chatting with her friends or diligently working toward her bachelor's degree in
Speech Pathology and Audiology. A proud Texan, Jeanne currently resides
in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with her family.

Jo Matthews is an Arizona native,
where she lives with son. A stay-at-home mom since 2007, she only recently
discovered her love and passion for the written word. When she’s not writing,
she’s usually knee deep in editing—an aspect she thoroughly enjoys.

As an editor, she has propelled
quite a few authors into the published world, and with her skills, has landed
several stories on Amazon’s Top Sellers lists.

Mary Elizabeth is an up and coming
author who finds words in chaos, writing stories about the skeletons hanging in
your closets. Known as The Realist, she is one half of The Elizabeths—a duo
brave enough to never hide the truth. Born and raised in Southern California,
she’s a wife, mother of four beautiful children, and dog tamer to one
enthusiastic Pit Bull and a prissy Chihuahua. She’s a hairstylist by day but
contemporary fiction, new adult author by night. Mary can often be found finger
twirling her hair and chewing on a stick of licorice while writing and
rewriting a sentence over and over until it’s perfect. She discovered her
talent for tale-telling accidentally, but literature is in her chokehold. And
she’s not letting go until every story is told.

love’s listener is a lone wolf
born a unicorn with a red panda soul and a heart she drew herself. friend,
sister, elizabeth, and true
love, she’s a messenger that makes art with words and
love with art. she’s been yelly, yellowglue, squeak, cuppycakes, precious
pinks, warren, little grey, a girl named ben, and sarahbear. she’s a
synesthete, a heart junkie, a truth seeker and secret keeper. poet half,
sun half, and total scripturient, Sarah’s work is equal parts her passion,
sanctuary, precipice, vice, adventure, restorative, deliverance, and joy. she
currently resides in Kansas City, and she’s bringing Rococo back.